The Friends of the Laguna Beach Library operate a bookstore run by volunteers and with donated books. BARBARA VENEZIA

Throughout Orange County, local libraries are supported by separate nonprofit organizations of volunteers called "Friends."

Martha Lydick is president of the Friends of the Laguna Beach Library. Her organization has raised about $300,000 over the past several years to cover expenses such as painting, lighting, furniture, shelving, etc.

Lydick says organizations like hers fill an important void because the county library system doesn't have the budget for local-library improvements.

She raises money through grants, private donations and bookstore operations at the Laguna Beach Library.

"We paid for our book shop in 1986. It's run by volunteers, and all the books we sell are donated. We make about $3,000 a month," she said.

Now Lydick says her organization and others are under attack by the very system they help – OC Public Libraries.

A letter was sent Dec. 12 to all the Friends of the Library groups from County Librarian Helen Fried saying the groups need to sign licensing agreements to operate bookstores on county property – which the libraries are.

Agreements were to be signed by Dec. 31. Failure to do so was to result in a group's eviction within 30 days.

Friends of Laguna Beach Library refused to sign the agreement because it states that all funds it raises must now be sent to the County of Orange.

Nowhere does it indicate that those funds will return to their library.

"This is the stupidest thing a bunch of bureaucrats could have done," Lydick said.

Lydick said the money her organization raises is meant to help their library – not be given to the county to dole out.

People donate because they know the money benefits the Laguna Beach Library, she said.

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